EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Dublin
‘St Gobban’, Kilgobbin, Stepaside, Co. Dublin
Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Settlement
Grid reference: O18902440 (31890/22440)
SMR: DU025-016
Excavation Licence No: 04E1373 (Bolger); 04E0981 (Larsson)
Excavation duration: Summer 2004
Site director: T. Bolger (Margaret Gowen & Co. Ltd.); E. Larsson (Arch-Tech Ltd.)
Excavations were undertaken in advance of a residential development in two fields directly to the
west and south of the early medieval church of Kilgobbin. Evidence for settlement, agriculture and
industry was revealed that was mostly related to the ecclesiastical site. Although radiocarbon dates
are awaited, much of the archaeological activity most likely dates to the early medieval period.
Teresa Bolger excavated the area directly to the south-east of the church. It revealed multi-phase
activity including curvilinear and linear ditches, slot trenches, post and stakeholes, and pits. The
earliest phase predated the enclosure ditches and consisted of a circular slot-trench and pit. No finds
were recovered from this phase.
The second phase consisted of a ditch aligned north-south and a concentration of postholes in the
northern part of the excavated area. The relationship between the two was unclear but the former
may have been a field boundary. Artefacts indicative of settlement and metalworking associated with
this phase included two possible copper-alloy pins a clay mould fragment.
A curving ditch was revealed in Phase III and it defined a circular area approximately 37m in
diameter. It was evident that the ditch did not enclose the church or graveyard. It possibly
represented a secular settlement enclosure which predated later enclosure activity related to the
church. Scatters of postholes were identified in the centre and southern part of the enclosure while
the only finds were an iron knife and pin.
Phase IV was related to the ecclesiastical site. A large curvilinear ditch was revealed which defined a
circular or sub-circular enclosure. This cut the Phase III enclosure and it would have encircled all, or a
large section, of the present church and graveyard. The ditch was back-filled before another
enclosure was created that enlarged the space. An annexe was created at the southern end and this
defined an area of industrial activity which included metalworking features, slag and crucible
fragments. A number of pits also produced metalworking debris.
Evidence for habitation was identified from the large artefactual assemblage associated with Phase
IV. Some of the artefacts included a selection of iron and copper-alloy pins, a polychrome bead
fragment, a lignite bracelet and a highly ornate copper-alloy clasp.
Further excavation at the north-west of the site revealed probable early medieval activity. Two
ditches, from the first phase, appeared to define a large sub-rectangular enclosure that extended
beyond the excavation limit. Occupation was evident by the presence of large amounts of animal
bone, a possible refuse pit and artefacts from the upper fill of one of the ditches. The finds included
iron knives, a possible shears, and both iron and copper-alloy studs or mounts. It is probable that this
enclosure is related to the enclosure activity described above but their chronological relationship
cannot be determined until radiocarbon dates are available.
Excavation to the south of the church identified further multi-phase activity. Additional ditches were
revealed, as well as a number of cereal-drying kilns, which may relate to the church’s agricultural
activities. Phase I consisted of a linear ditch and the remains of hearth at its base. There was a
marked increase in farming activity during Phase II including the creation of a sub-rectangular field
enclosure and two cereal-drying kilns. Additional phases were date late medieval in dates based on
the occurrence of pottery sherds within the ditches.
Further excavation by Ellinor Larsson to the south, and in proximity, of the church revealed an area of
ironworking, a possible kiln, pits, postholes and ditches. Condensed areas of post and stakeholes
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